Ok, so you’ve defeated Mohg, Lord of Blood to get you into the DLC, you’ve tracked down all the spirit ashes and bell-bearings, fully stocked up on upgrade materials and have every spell and talisman in your chest.

You’re ready to enter the Shadowlands on the trail of Miquella and see just what the Skadutree has in store for you. But what build are you using?

The Dirty Colossus (Str/Arc build)

One of the most breathtaking vistas in the game; The Zweihander….The Lakes of Liurnia look pretty nice too

When you think of arcane builds it makes sense to go with Dexterity right? Faster hitting weapons just seem like the natural option to apply Haemorrhage, Poison or that Dreaded Scarlet Rot. Hitting the enemy with a giant slab of status inflicting metal seems to be just as, if not more, effective. 

We don’t know yet what immunities the enemies in the DLC are going to have, but that’s not a problem when you’re inflicting multiple in just a few short swings, something will definitely deal damage. The other great benefit to this build is that it only requires 3 slots and an Ash of War to complete, leaving you free to use all the new armour and weapon choices the moment you get them. Finally, there isn't a great amount of stat investment meaning you can easily throw in some sorceries, incantations or both.

Pick this build if you want;

• To enjoy a blood build but you don’t want to use Eleonara’s Poleblade or the infamous (and meme-worthy) Rivers of Blood.
• To allow flexibility with talismans, additional weapons or armour. This whole build requires 3 slots total.
• To inflict as much status on enemies as possible. With Sorceries and Incantations you can easily inflict Frostbite and/or Scarlet Rot additionally.
• Be free with stats, you only need 50 Arcane and the stats to wield the Zweihander. Leaving you open for lots of secondary build options.
• Have big burst damage potential. Using both talismans gives you a 40% flat increase to damage when both status’ proc simultaneously

What you need for this build;

• Zweihander from the Isolated Nomad in the Weeping Peninsula 
• Poison Mist AoW from the Scarab in the Swamps of Aeonia, Caelid
• The Black Whetblade from Nokron (to give your Zwei the blood affinity)
• 19 Strength and 11 Dexterity for the Zweihander
• 35 Stamina to medium roll and hit the poise cap at 52
• Lord of Bloods Exultation from Lleyndell Catacombs, Lleyndell
• Kindred of Rot’s Exultation from Seethewater Cave, Mt. Gelmir

The Night Mage (Int/Dex build)

Everyone knows that the bigger the hat, the stealthier you are

Since release, sorceries have always been just a little bit broken in Elden Ring. Often compared to “easy mode”. Do you know what’s better than mage though? One that fires spells off very very fast. To make this build as good as it can be you will need to be in NG+ or have a nice friend drop an additional Staff of Loss for you.

You thought the investment for the last build was low, well try this; Just a Staff of Loss (ideally in each hand) and then Night Shard and Night Comet for your spells, this will give your Night sorceries an additional 30% damage increase per staff. If you really want to thematically flesh out your character, I’d recommend the Unseen Form spell, Eternal Darkness and the Black Knife Assassin set.

Pick this build if you want;

• You want to ensure your enemies don't see you coming
• Minimise your stat spread, you need to focus on just Int and Dex for your entire playthrough
• Go into the DLC with as many free slots as possible for all the new spells
• Don’t want to grind for hours, all the times in this build are guaranteed drops
• Keep all your somber stones for the DLC, ensuring you can have a+10 weapon the moment you find a nice new one.

What you need for this build;

• Staff of Loss from Selia, Caelid
• Night Shard sorcery from Gowry in Caelid
• Night Comet sorcery from Selia, Caelid
• Radagon Icon from Raya Lucaria Academy
• 38 Intelligence to use all the spells, ideally you want 70

The Beast Paladin (Str/Fth build)

Gurranq, head of the Beast Clergyman and someone you’re going to have to spend a lot of time with to make this build…

Gurranq is one the most mysterious, and quite frankly coolest, NPCs in Elden Ring and this build will allow you to channel him right into the DLC. You’ll be throwing rocks and breaking poise quicker than you can say Marika.

This build is going to be up close and personal, quickly breaking stances with fast paced attacks and then from afar with beast incantations, dashing around your hapless enemy. You’re going to need to have completed most of the game to really make this build shine, since you’ll need to have handed in almost all the Deathroot hidden in The Lands Between.

Pick this build if you want;

• Fast paced combat with the quickstep AoW
• Poise break most enemies from ease
• Be effective at every distance with a range of incantations
• Be a wolf and throw rocks at people

What you need for this build;

• Cinquedea from Dragonbarrow
• The Clawmark Seal from Gurranq, Dragonbarrow
• The Black Wolf Mask from The Three Sisters
• 51 poise to allow you to get off more spells in close combat
• Faithful’s Canvas Talisman from Selia Crystal Tunnel, Caelid
• Flock’s Canvas Talisman from Gowry in Caelid
• Godfrey Icon from Godefroy in Altus Plateau
• Rock Sling, Beast Claw, Stone of Gurranq and Gurranq’s Claw from Gurranq in Dragonbarrow

The Carian Master (Int build)

The Carian Knight, the strongest of the Caria family. Imbued with power the of the Moon

The Carian Master is all about versatility, why carry weapons when you can conjure them all? Mainly a close to mid range fighter the Carian Master can weaken enemies from afar with his magic bow before delivering the final slash with his magic greatsword.

The best thing about the main Ash of War we’re using here, Carian Grandeur, is that it makes no difference what weapon you use it on. Equipping it to a Misericorde allows you to capitalise on the easy poise break for strong critical hits.

Pick this build if you want;

• Freedom of armour and talisman slots, all of this builds utility is in it’s sorceries
• Easy poise breaks of enemies
• Fun and fast paced, switching sorceries to change your weapon
• Conjure giant swords

What you need for this build;

• Carian Grandeur AoW from Caria Manor, Liurnia of the Lakes
• Glintblade Phalanx AoW from Rogier, Roundtable Hold
• Misericorde from Stormveil Castle, Limgrave
• Carian Glintstone Staff from Carian Study Hall, Liurnia of the Lakes
• Carian Slicer from the Royal House Scroll in Limgrave
• Carian Piercer from a scarab in Caria Manor, Liurnia of the Lakes
• Carian Greatsword from Miriel, Liurnia of the Lakes
• Loretta’s Greatbow from Caria Manor, Liurnia of the Lake
• Godfrey Icon from Godefroy in Altus Plateau
• Magic Scorpion Charm from Preceptor Seluvis, The Three Sisters
• Graven School Talisman from Raya Lucaria Academy
• Graven-Mass Talisman from Consecrated Snowfield

The Golden Successor (Dex sword and shield build)

The Straight Swords have a unique buff that helps you hunt down the Erdtree’s foes

The Golden Successor uses a paired straight sword and a shield that can be obtained within the first hour of your game, meaning that there isn't a lot of need to invest in any other weapon. You’re getting 2 for the price of 1 with your weapon though, something usually on seen in fists and claws, and you get the reach of swords!

The weight of your weapons is also fairly light meaning you can easily put more points into other stats instead of having to get your endurance to 35, or it allows you to wear some of the heaviest armour quite easily. You want to make the most of your parries and critical boots and Golden Vow is a great Ash of War for your shield, allowing you to parry multiple hits at once and at a much safer range.

Pick this build if you want;

• You want to parry more you're not great at it
• To try the new guard counter mechanic
• Love the idea of noble paladins
• Want to powerstance your weapons and still switch to a sword and shield without having to carry multiple weapons
• To never have trouble with undead mobs ever again

What you need for this build;

• Ornamental Straight Sword from the Grafted Scion in the Tutorial (you can return later if you missed your chance)
• Brass Shield from any soldier, you can get this from the first mob in Limgrave
• Golden Vow Aow from Altus Plateau
• Rotten Winged Sword Insignia or Millicent’s Prosthesis  from Millicent’s questline
• Spear Talisman from Lakeside Crystal Cave, Liurnia of the Lakes
• Curved Sword Talisman from Stormveil Castle
• Dragon Greatshield Talisman from Ordinance Town, Miquella’s Haligrtree
• 80 Dexterity